KALAMAZOO GAZETTE, Monday, April 03, 2000
By Matthew Steel - SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE
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When people look back on 20th-century American music, it seems plausible that they will hold the music of our cinema in the highest regard. The remarkable staying power of the genre was evident Sunday afternoon at Chenery Auditorium, as the Kalamazoo Singers presented an ambitious program called "Songs of the Silver Screen."
Thomas Kasdorf, in his 20th year as director of this 40-member ensemble, assembled 45 of the best songs of the cinematic repertory. Kasdorf also planned the concert to show off the chorus' fine solo voices and small ensembles. In fact, only a third of the pieces were sung as a chorus.
With so many songs to perform, perhaps the hardest-working person on stage was pianist Helen Lukan, who provided accompaniment for all but the last tune.
In the middle of the concert, in a rousing rendition of "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," Lukan was joined by the able trumpeter Beth Jonker in backing up would-be Andrews sisters Lori Claussen, Joyce Collins and Sue Daniels.
Though the program demanded shuffling people in and out of the chorus for solos, the show moved along smoothly. Kasdorf avoided an assembly-line feel, allowing each of the soloists and the ensembles ample time to sing several verses and choruses of their numbers.
The quality of the solo voices was quite good, though some singers got more dramatically involved in their performances than others. For example, James R. Powell gave a particularly Caruso-like performance of "The Lovliest Night of the Year," adding a bit of bravado near the end in honor of the legendary tenor. And Romeo Phillips knew just how to spice up his duet performances, first with Fay Smith in "Ah Yes, I Remember It Well" and later with Sandra Buller in "Baby, It's Cold Outisde."
Tenor Mark Ficks added modern pop styling and soulful improvisation to his performances. His duet with soprano Pat Stromsta in "When I Fall in Love" put this 1952 tune in a contemporary light.
And, obviously modeling their performance on the soundtrack of "An American Tail," soprano Mali Vander Beek and tenor Brian Bay were convincing in their duet of "Somewhere Out There."
Standing out from among the many polished voices were two basses. First between them was the rich, impeccably controlled singing of David Veenhuis. His solo in "Gigi" was an absolute joy to hear. Second was Christopher Bee, who showed remarkable power in his rendition of "I'll Begin Again."
The chorus produced many wonderful moments. In "White Christmas", Lukan was joined at the piano by Carol Overton for a beautiful, four-hands arrangement of this work. Most impressive was a jazzy choral version of "That Old Black Magic" that featured a complicated text setting.
To top off the show, a C3PO robot appeared on stage to deliver a light saber to Kasdorf, which he used to conduct the finale: "Duel of the Fates" from "Star Wars - Epsiode I." Here the chorus was accompanied by the recorded movie soundtrack in a fitting end to a charming concert.
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